# dotnet/ef6

This is the codebase for Entity Framework 6 (previously maintained at https://entityframework.codeplex.com). Entity Framework Core is maintained at https://github.com/dotnet/efcore.

Repository: https://github.com/dotnet/ef6
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/ef6
Homepage: https://docs.microsoft.com/ef/ef6
Language: C#
License: MIT
License Family: permissive
Topics: entity-framework, dotnet-framework, orm, database, ef6, entity-framework-6
Last push: 2026-08-24T05:01:51+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 82/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 49, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4051, "days_push": 9, "days_rel": 127, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 1}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1450, forks 556 (observed 2026-08-28T04:04:45.782899+00:00)

## What it is
Entity Framework 6 is a mature object-relational mapper (ORM) for .NET that lets developers work with relational databases using strongly-typed .NET objects, LINQ queries, and Code First or visual designer modeling. It is still supported by Microsoft for security fixes but is no longer actively developed, with new feature work focused on EF Core.

## Use cases
- map .NET classes to relational database tables
- query databases with LINQ instead of SQL
- generate database schemas from C# entity models with Code First
- maintain legacy .NET Framework applications using EF6
- perform change tracking and unit-of-work data access
- reverse-engineer entity models from an existing database

## When to choose
- you have an existing EF6 or .NET Framework codebase that already uses it
- you need EDMX/visual designer support or other EF6-only features
- you want a battle-tested, stable ORM with long-term Microsoft support for security fixes

## When to avoid
- you are starting a new project on modern .NET - use EF Core instead
- you need new features, community contributions, or active bug fixes
- you need a lightweight, extensible ORM with ongoing development

## Facets
- artifact type: library
- maturity: maintenance
- function: orm, database, database-driver
- domain: databases, backend, web-development, developer-tools
- platform: dotnet, windows, cross-platform
- tags: entity-framework, ef6, linq, code-first, data-access, microsoft, net-framework, legacy

## Member repositories
- dotnet/ef6 (main) score 82

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:04:45.782899+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T04:35:55.591180+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/dotnet/ef6 (fetched 2026-08-28T04:04:45.782899+00:00, sha 3cef6e340cd8)
  - homepage: https://docs.microsoft.com/ef/ef6 (fetched 2026-08-29T11:45:26.104724+00:00, sha ccac40ad6a3d)
  - site_page: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/internet-explorer-microsoft-edge (fetched 2026-08-29T11:45:26.107306+00:00, sha c363b2f43d4b)
  - site_page: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ef/ef6/what-is-new/past-releases (fetched 2026-08-29T11:45:26.109008+00:00, sha 23471d33cd86)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.